Of Mice and Men Conflct

     One of the conflicts that I chose is how Lennie doubts himself in what he does. I consider this type of conflict to be Man vs. Self. The way Lennie acts shows how he feels around others. He acts awkward and uncomfortable whenever he's with anyone else and George isn't there. George is Lennie's safe spot.  In the first section of the book it states, "In a panic, Lennie looked at George for help." This was when The Boss was asking Lennie a question and wanted him to answer, not George. Lennie didn't know what to do because he always relies on George to help him with everything. Lennie is not used to talking for himself because he thinks that he'll say something wrong and get George in trouble. George means everything to Lennie because they are always together and the last thing he wants is to hurt him, so that is why he lets George do all the talking for him.

     The effect this conflict has on the plot so far is that Lennie finds it hard to make friends because he is so used to having George talk for him. Since Lennie forgets things easily he might say something he's not suppose to. Like when he told Crooks about his and George's dream when George specifically told him not to tell anyone. In the it book states, "Crooks adjusted his glasses. 'Figuring? What's Candy figuring about?' Lennie almost shouted, ' 'Bout the rabbits.'" This quote shows how Lennie told Crooks about his dream that no one else was suppose to know because him and George did not want The Boss to find out.

     The other conflict that I chose was how Slim and Curley do not get along. This type of conflict is Man vs. Man. Slime and Curley have had problems with each other for who knows how long. The book states, "Curley burst into the room excitedly. 'Any you guys seen my wife?' He demanded. 'She ain't been here,' said White. Curley looked threateningly about the room. 'Where the hell's Slim?'" This quote shows that Curley assumes that since he cannot find his wife and Slim is no where to be found, he thinks that they are together. Maybe the reason that Curley does not like Slim is because he thinks that Slim is trying to get Curley's wife away from him.

     The effect this conflict has on the plot so far is that since Curley has a problem with Slim and wants to start a fight with him because he assumes Slim is with his wife. Curley makes a big scene out of his accusation and others start to get involved. Poor Lennie gets into a fight because Curley thinks that everything the other men talk about is about him. In the book it states, "Curley stepped over to Lennie like a terrier. 'What the hell you laughin' at?' Lennie looked blankly at him. Then Curley's rage exploded." "Curley was balanced and poised. He slashed at Lennie...smashed down his nose..." These quotes shows how Lennie was laughing at something he was thinking about, but Curley went on and thought that it was something to do with him. Curley got mad so he started to go at Lennie and punching him. Curley starts to get others involved into his own problems.